Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve

“We stepped off the suburban street into a delightful lush forest. It was such a delight being able to escape the city in the space of just a short drive.”

Escape the hustle of the city for a refreshing dose of nature. A 30-minute drive from the Sydney CBD can take you to a patch of paradise near St Ives.

Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve, in North Sydney, boasts one of the last remaining stands of magnificent blue gum forests within the Sydney region. This much-loved reserve is featured as part of the Ku-ring-gai Council nature walks and NPWS discovery program, making it popular for bushwalking and birdwatching.

The towering canopy and lush understorey of ferns support a staggering array of wildlife including black-faced swamp wallabies and echidnas. If visiting Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve at night, then keep your eyes peeled for sugar gliders, possums and owls.

Early morning is a superb time for birdwatching as the reserve comes alive with the sound of native Australian birds singing, including pardalotes, king parrots, and lorikeets.

Why you should visit

Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

Guringai landsThe reserve lies within the area of Guringai Aboriginal People – their lands stretched from the northern shores of Sydney Harbour to Broken Bay in the north. This fertile bushland would have supported large numbers of grazing animals such as wallabies, making it an important hunting ground.

Best practice bush careDalrymple is a showpiece for best practice bush regeneration in blue gum forest. So if you enjoy getting your hands dirty, and want to help preserve this precious tract of bushland, join the regular bush regeneration workings bees. For more information on their regular gatherings, contact the park ranger on 0419 753 804 or the Bushcare coordinator on (02) 9415 3998.

Pristine bushlandNamed after Richard Dalrymple-Hay, the first Commissioner for forests, he acquired the tract of largely uncleared land for a demonstration forest. When it was discovered, the land was not large enough to log economically, so it was left untouched. Luckily for us, it’s preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Botanists aheadThis natural bushland has remained largely untouched since colonisation, and it’s not just a haven for animals and birdlife. Due to its largely undisturbed state, nature enthusiasts, botanists and researchers flock to the area to study this special patch of forest.

Local nightlifeThis remnant forest is an important breeding ground for a range of animals and birdlife that hunt and feed at night. Here, you’ll find nocturnal species such as possums, sugar gliders as well as both powerful and boobook owls.

Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve is accessible by train from Pymble Station. It’s also accessible by bus along Mona Vale Road. For information about public transport options, visit the NSW transport info website.